From Ndubuisi Orji,
Abuja
Natonal Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ali Modu Sheriff has described the Appeal Court judgment that affirmed him as the leader of the party as a victory for all.
Sheriff, a former governor of Borno State, said the judgment was neither a victory for him nor a loss for the chairman of the party’s caretaker committee, Senator Ahmed Makarfi.
He stated this yesterday at a press briefing in Abuja where he reacted to the Appeal Court judgment. The Appeal Court, Port Harcourt Division, had in a lead judgment on the PDP leadership dispute last Friday declared Sheriff the authentic national chairman of the party.
The PDP leader added that since the judgment, he has been speaking with leaders of the party on how to move the party forward.
He noted that immediately he is through with his consultations, he would come up with a programme that will lead to a successful convention.
“The verdict of the Court of Appeal is victory for all. No loser. Sheriff is not the winner. Makarfi is not the loser. All of us are winners. I want to put the record straight. We are uniting the party. This party will come back to the position of 1999. All the leaders of the party will be consulted and we will come up with a firm roadmap that will lead to a successful convention,” the former Borno governor stated.
Reacting to comments made by Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose that the Appeal Court judgment will be challenged at the Supreme Court, Sheriff said that was the governor’s personal opinion.
He stated that he is not interested in joining issues with anyone, noting that his immediate concern is to reconcile the various interests in the party.
Sheriff said he had already spoken with the chairman of the PDP Reconciliation Committee, Governor Seriake Dickson and his deputy, Senator Ibrahim Mantu on how to engender true reconciliation in the party.
His words: “The survival of the PDP is greater than any one of us. People should not look at this issue as a personal matter between me and Makarfi or any leader. Within the shortest period, a successful convention will be held, where people can aspire.
“I have full confidence in the judiciary of this country. But the judiciary is not the best way to resolve party dispute. All those that are saying that APC is responsible, my hands are clean. I have nothing to hide. I am ready to make any sacrifice to make sure that we move forward. We want impunity to stop. We don’t want to lose elections again. It is very painful to lose elections. I have already spoken with Governor Dickson and Ibrahim Mantu to ensure we have a roadmap that will lead to a successful convention.”